"They're doin' the Bump N Touch. They're doin' the Dap-Dip. EVERYthing."

I'd been looking forward to seeing Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings since they were here two years ago.  It was less of a straight-up concert than it was a real soul/R&B revue.  It was a party!

Two nights ago, my evening started a bit early in a new(-ish) bar and on Facebook with my new "friend," Binky Griptite...

(Yeah, could've been a Daptone Records intern, but who cares?)

Binky and The Dap-Kings started off with one of my favorite songs of 2010, "The Reason."  A couple of tunes later, Binky introduced the newest rising star in the Daptone soul universe, a "young voice," Charles Bradley!  As in, 62 years young and still kicking ass!  I was too far away (and dancing) to get any decent shots.  But I did get him to sign his No Time for Dreaming CD I bought at intermission.

Afterward, the Dee-Kays warmed us back up.  By this point, I was down near the front!

After this point, I just remember a blur of funk and dancing...

Sharon & Charles showing us how it was done back in the day.

I got to hang around for autographs at the end.  I didn't have anything for Sharon to sign (I already got her the last time she was in town), but I did get to thank her for coming back.  In return, she says, "Give me some sugar" and plants a kiss on my cheek!!

I will NEVER wash my cheek again!

And then, brother Charles did me the honor...

The Mrs. had the honor of becoming a 3rd Dapette...

...while I snagged autographs from Bosco Mann and Cochemea Gastulem, who were giggling uncontrollably for some reason.  Probably because some woman snagged my pen to get them to sign her ticket, and then I went, "Hey, as long as you've got my pen..."

I have to say, my con experiences have paid off.  I wasn't half as fanboy-ish and starstruck as I could've been.  Of course, the Daptone Records folks always seemed like cool, friendly folk all around, and approachable, which made it easy.